Teens charged in attempted bakery robbery

MANSFIELD – City police have charged an 18-year-old woman with aggravated robbery after an incident Tuesday at a Mansfield bakery in which they say she and an accomplice demanded money. They each had to settle for one doughnut.

A 15-year-old Mansfield girl, reported as a runaway, also is in custody at the Richland County Attention Center on a charge of aggravated robbery for her alleged involvement in the incident, Lt. Rob Skropits said.

Police say the two women stole a truck valued at $6,000 that belongs to a man in a wheelchair, and apparently threw out the hand controls he used to operate the vehicle. Wearing masks, the two used the truck in their attempt to rob Buckeye Bakers & Schneider's Too, 146 Orange St., shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to police reports.

Kieri Adams(Photo: Richland County Jail)

Kieri M. Adams, 18, of 145 Vennum Ave., pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Mansfield Municipal Court on a charge of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. She remains in the Richland County Jail on a $25,000 cash and personal recognizance bond. A $10,000 personal recognizance bond was set on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Adams also was charged with failure to have an operator's license, a misdemeanor.

Police Chief Kenny Coontz said that one of them acted as if they had a gun under their shirt, but it was a hammer being used to look like a gun.

The 46-year-old owner of the Chevy Silverado needs the hand controls to help him operate the truck's gas and brake pedals. They are stainless steel and extend to about 3 1/2 feet. If anyone finds them along the south side of Mansfield in the area of South Main Street, they are asked to call the Mansfield Police Department at 419-755-9724.

The man said he was allowing Adams to stay at his house, but had no idea she was capable of such an action. She had been coming to his house in the past couple of months to help him with household chores, the man said Thursday.

Police located the man's stolen vehicle, abandoned with the engine running and lights on, shortly after the Tuesday incident. Two suspects were seen running from the vehicle but could not immediately be located that morning, according to the police report.

Buckeye Bakers & Schneider's Too owner George Guegold said the pair walked into the bakery just after opening and demanded money from his 79-year-old mother, Dixie Guegold.

Dixie said she had left the door ajar that morning and saw them mulling about outside.

The younger one peeked her head inside the door and was wearing a mask.